The procedure involves removing approximately 75% of the stomach leaving a narrow "sleeve-like" stomach limiting the amount of food you can eat at one time. This procedure leaves you feeling full while eating less food and will keep you satisfied longer. Food that is consumed passes through the digestive tract in the usual order, allowing the food to be fully absorbed.

Complications that can occur after LSG include a leak from the sleeve resulting in an infection or abscess, deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, narrowing of the sleeve (stricture) requiring endoscopic dilation and bleeding. Major complications requiring re-operation are uncommon after sleeve gastrectomy and occur in less than 5 percent of patients.